Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a very important soapbox, and the points the witnesses have both made are very telling. It is enlightening in particular to hear people with the same perspective from different backgrounds talking about the same things. It is reflected down here in our society as well in terms of the issues. Ms Weir particularly spoke about new communities. In our country down here, 20% of our population was not born on this part of the island. That is hugely important. New people here enrich our culture, community and society, and they will change it. We need to have them sitting in this Parliament as well in their own right. What the witnesses are talking about, I think, is engagement, acceptance of change and differences, and working together. I know we will be visiting Belfast shortly and I really look forward to hearing the witnesses.

Your voice is very clear. I like everything you say, if that means anything to you, because you speak the same language as I speak in my constituency about poverty and people not getting their just rewards for the efforts they are making. At the end of the day, you are the people who have made the peace possible. It would not have happened without your support.

Will Deputy Feighan take the Chair? I have something else to go to. I apologise for this.